Trending Now

You are here

Michael L. Vanatta

Michael L. Vanatta, 69, of 2678 Pine Grove Rd., Pennsylvania Furnace, formerly of Johnsonburg, died Thursday, May 8, 2014 at his residence following a brief illness.He was born Nov. 11, 1944 in Ridgway, son of the late Hall Dean and Alice Smith Vanatta.On June 1, 1958 in St. Leo Magnus Church, Ridgway, he married Linda Hannold, and she survives. He resided in the State College area since 1991 and graduated from the Johnsonburg High School in 1962. He graduated from Penn State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1990.He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, American Legion Post 245, lifetime member of Penn State Alumni, Toastmasters and the Springfield Blue Jackets. He loved traveling and driving cars, Penn State football and spending time with his family.He was a Vietnam War era veteran serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the CLG7 Guided Cruiser USS Springfield.He had been employed by Penn State University ARL for 22 years before retiring in 2012, and previously worked at Stackpole Carbon Co. of St. Marys for 22 years.In addition to his wife at home, he is survived by three sons, Robert E. Vanatta and his wife Shannon of King George, Va., William D. Vanatta and his wife Barbara of North Warren, and Paul D. Vanatta and his wife Sandy of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; two daughters, Michelle, Mrs. Karl Breakey of Johnsonburg and Cheryl, Mrs. George Lukaschunis of Penfield; 10 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Dean Vanatta and his wife Ellen of Johnsonburg, David Vanatta and his wife Patricia of Johnsonburg, and James Vanatta and his wife Mary of Mt. Airy, Tenn.; and three sisters, Judith, Mrs. David Rettger, Nancy, Mrs. Paul Galford and Margaret Mertz of St. Marys.He was preceded in death by his parents.A Mass of Christian Burial for Michael L. Vanatta will be conducted at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg on Monday, May 12 at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor.Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Ridgway.Friends will be received at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St. Johnsonburg, on Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m.Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home Monday morning at 9:15 a.m.If desired memorial contributions should be made to Relay For Life at http://main.acsevents.org/gotostepbystepDuBois.Share your condolences at www.ferraginefuneralhome.com.